Title

Authors

Source

Mainebiz

Date

11-13-2006

Pages

22-23

Abstract

"Capitol Update" piece reporting that the tax employers pay to fund the state unemployment system will stay at current rates for 2007, according to Laura Fortman, commissioner of the Department of Labor (DOL). The trust fund now has $441 million in reserves - enough to pay benefits for 21 months should an economic downturn occur. David Clough, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Maine, said that if the fund is in good shape, perhaps the tax should be reduced. The program will end in 2008 unless lawmakers extend it or make it permanent. Fortman said the DOL will ask the Legislature to make the program permanent, and employer groups responded they will oppose that step. Ed Gorham, president of the Maine AFL-CIO, said the labor movement will push for other improvements to the unemployment insurance program.